After another one of Winifred Clayton's dramatic suicide threats, Edgar Snider secretly starts a relationship with her behind my back under one condition—I can never find out about it.

He says, "I can be with you, but Wanda is everything to me. Whatever happens between us, she can never know."

Winifred pretends to agree. Then, she sends me a video of her and Edgar living together, my son included.

"No matter what happens, Edgar will never leave me. So stop deluding yourself—you were never a match for me."

What she doesn't know is that I never plan to compete.

In just one month, I'll be on a flight to Avernia, gone from Edgar's life for good.

"Darling, things are a little hectic at work today. I won't be coming home tonight. Tomorrow's our anniversary, and I made a reservation for a candlelight dinner at Palmette House. Let's bring Crispin and enjoy the evening together," Edgar Snider's voice came through the phone, warm and gravelly.

I listened absentmindedly as I tapped open Winifred Clayton's chat on WhatsApp.

Just an hour ago, she had sent me a video—she and Edgar, tangled up in each other's arms, kissing like they couldn't bear to part.

"Happy anniversary, Wanda. This is my gift to you."

Winifred was the golden girl of the Clayton family. And I was the biological daughter they found when I was 16 years old.

My mom couldn't bear to send Winifred away, so she kept her in the house, spoiling her still. To avoid public gossip, she even claimed I was just an adopted child.

At the lowest point in my life, I met Edgar.

We were classmates, the three of us. He came from the Snider family—wealthy, powerful, and untouchable.

Winifred and Edgar grew up together. She had been quietly in love with him for years, but he never seemed to notice.

Instead, he fell for me—the transfer student, the invisible girl.

He stayed by my side for three years of high school. In those innocent, confusing years, he became my only safe place.

He once told me he would drive away everyone who ever tried to hurt me.

"If everyone turns their back on you and sides with Winifred, I'll still stand by you. Just me is enough."

For years, he lived up to that promise.

Edgar loved me fiercely, with everything he had. He was the only one who ever made me feel like I mattered.

I never imagined he would be the one to betray me.

But life slapped me hard with the truth.

Everyone fell in love with Winifred. And eventually, everyone left me behind.

The pain in my chest was sharp and suffocating. But I couldn't cry.

"Wanda? Are you still there?" Edgar's voice was suddenly tight with concern. "Is something wrong? Are you okay?"

I sat in silence for a long time. Finally, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

I asked quietly, "Edgar, will you also leave me one day?"

He answered without hesitation, "I won't. I'll never leave you."

I let out a bitter smile. What a cruel, beautiful lie. And I hated myself for even asking such a stupid question.

A soft laugh echoed faintly from Edgar's end of the line. It was quiet, but I caught it.

Edgar shot a furious glare at Winifred, who had just let the laugh slip. She only shrugged, then lowered her head to send me another message.

"I didn't mean to laugh out loud, Wanda. It's just… the way Edgar lies is way too adorable. And that question you asked? So stupid. Why would you even say it?

"No one ever chooses you. Just accept it already. All it takes is a little effort on my part, and Edgar will spoil me just the same."

As her message came through, Edgar was still talking, trying to explain. His voice held a slight edge of panic. "That was one of my employees watching a TV series. I already told them off. Wanda, we've been together for over ten years. How could I ever leave you?

"Have you heard something recently? Rumors? Whatever it is, don't believe it. Just trust me."

I answered calmly, "Okay. I believe you. See you tomorrow."

He exhaled in relief. "Darling, get some sleep. See you then."

The moment I hung up, I opened my laptop and booked a one-way ticket to Avernia. Then, I started gathering documents for the visa.

Once it was all done, I collapsed onto the couch. Only then did the tears begin to fall.

All my life, I had been left behind by my parents and my husband. No one had ever truly chosen me.

So this time, I would be the one to walk away first.

The next day, I didn't bother dressing up. I didn't put on any makeup and just stepped out the door in a simple set of loungewear.

When I stepped into the private dining room, Edgar was already there, clearly waiting for a while. His face lit up with anticipation when he looked toward the door. But the moment he saw me, his expression faltered.

He looked a little hurt. "Darling, it's our anniversary today…"

I smiled slightly. "We've been married long enough. Do we really still care about formalities?"

I took my seat. Our son, Crispin Snider, sat beside him, his eyes flickering toward me before quickly looking away.

I knew why.

Winifred had already told me. Crispin had accepted her as his godmother.

I could tell that Edgar didn't look pleased. But I no longer had the energy to care what he thought.

Ever since I was brought back into the Clayton family, I had lived like I was walking on glass—constantly afraid of upsetting anyone and terrified they would decide I wasn't worth keeping.

After being abandoned for over a decade, all I wanted was a family. But now, all I felt was relief. It turned out letting go was a strange kind of freedom.

"Darling, if I did something wrong, I can fix it. You never acted like this before. You always looked forward to our anniversaries. It feels like… something about you has changed," Edgar said after a long silence.

"Changed? Maybe I have." I chuckled softly and picked up a piece of steak with my fork.

"After I came back to the Clayton family, they taught me etiquette. I had to show up at every event, always perfect, always polished. Then, I married into your family, where the rules were even stricter.

"I've spent years trapped in a cage, Edgar. Now I want a taste of freedom. Is that really too much to ask?"

Edgar pulled me into a tight embrace. "I'll give you anything you want—everything. Just don't leave me."

He could feel it, too—that something was slipping out of his grasp.

The dinner was tense. Each of us was lost in our own thoughts.

Just before we left, Crispin tugged Edgar's sleeve and gave him a meaningful glance.

Edgar cleared his throat. "Wanda, Crispin wants to spend the night at his grandma's place. I'll drop him off."

"Mom, Grandma got me a huge cake! I really want to have some," Crispin added quickly.

The lie was flimsy, but I didn't call it out.

Half an hour ago, Winifred had posted a photo of a giant cake on Instagram with the caption, "Celebrating my new 'son.'"

I forced a smile. "Sure, go ahead. Just… come home early."

That was the last night Edgar and Crispin came home. Every day after that, there was a new excuse. A new reason why they couldn't make it back.

And every day, I simply replied, "Got it."

I watched the house grow quieter and emptier. And something inside me grew still and cold.

As the days passed, my visa was finally expedited and approved.

The day I went to collect my visa, my mom called and asked me to come home.

I figured since this chapter of my life was about to end, seeing my biological mother one last time wouldn't hurt. Perhaps it could count as repaying her for all those years she raised me.

When I arrived, she greeted me warmly, asking how I had been. I responded to everything patiently.

"These past years must've been hard on you," she said, feigning sympathy as she gently patted my hair.

"We couldn't let anyone know you were actually a Clayton. You know how fragile Winifred is. Her depression is serious. I've always been so afraid something would happen to her…"

Of course. Because her depression was so "serious", I even had to give up my husband to her.

My mom knew everything that had gone on between Edgar and Winifred, yet there she was, still pretending. Even the night Winifred staged that suicide scare and begged Edgar to come over, it was my mom who called him and asked him to go.

As she spoke, noise suddenly erupted at the door. "Mom, I'm home!"

My mom's expression changed immediately.

I turned around and saw Winifred standing at the door beside Edgar, who wore a long trench coat.

The moment Edgar saw me, he froze. He instantly pulled away from Winifred, as if that could undo anything.

My mom's voice rose sharply. "Didn't I tell you not to come home today?"

Winifred shrugged with a mischievous smile. "I just missed you."

Her gaze flicked over to me, a slow smile curling on her lips. "Oh, you're here too, Wanda. Edgar and I ran into each other on the way here, so we came back together."

I couldn't help but laugh, staring straight at Edgar. "Ran into each other? Edgar, what reason could you possibly have for coming to my family's house?"

I had always liked asking questions I already knew the answers to, savoring the sting of tearing open old wounds. It was the only way I could keep myself awake—keep myself from going numb.

Edgar stumbled over his words. "I just came to grab something from Joanna. That's all."

My mother jumped in quickly. "Yes, yes, Edgar—I'll get it for you now."

She signaled to the maid, who soon brought down a file folder.

"Here it is. Take it."

Edgar nodded and took it. Then, he turned to me and held my hand. "Wanda, let's go home."

But Winifred chimed in with a syrupy voice, "You two are already here. Why not stay for dinner?"

Edgar's jaw clenched, and his expression darkened. He was about to say no when I stopped him and said calmly, "Sure. Let's have dinner. All of us."

One last meal before the end.

Edgar cleared his throat. "Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom."

He shot Winifred a sharp look, clearly signaling her to follow.

I sat quietly, watching the show unfold. The moment both of them stepped out, I followed them. They headed into the Clayton residence's backyard.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Edgar growled. His face was red with rage as he grabbed Winifred's wrist. "You brought me here because you knew Wanda would be home."

Winifred's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with hurt. "How would I have known Wanda would be here? Didn't you see me trying to defend you in front of her?"

"Defend me? Don't think I can't see right through you, Winifred. Let's end this. I can't risk what will happen if Wanda finds out." Edgar yanked his hand free from hers, his voice laced with disgust.

That was when panic truly hit Winifred. She clung to him tightly, refusing to let go. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed dramatically, "No! Edgar, I was wrong. I won't do it again, I swear.

"I'll stay in my place, and I'll make sure Wanda never finds out about us. Please don't leave me."

But Edgar's voice had already turned cold. "We're done. You went too far today. I'm taking Wanda home right now, and from now on, don't contact me again."

Edgar shoved her away and turned to leave, but Winifred's voice came sharp and biting behind him, "Fine. Leave me if you want. But are you really just going to abandon your own child?"

"Crispin won't recognize you as his godmother anymore. I'll be taking him with me."

"I'm not talking about Crispin," Winifred said with a twisted smile. She gently placed a hand over her stomach. Her voice softened into something almost tender. "I'm talking about the one inside me. Your child."

Edgar's lips were trembling now.

I stood frozen, nausea climbing up my throat, but nothing would come out.

"When did this happen?" Edgar's lips moved slightly, his voice barely audible. Then, as if something suddenly clicked in his mind, he looked up sharply. "Was it that night?"

I should have seen it coming. Once a man's heart had changed, why would his body remain faithful?

I couldn't take another second. I turned and fled, not waiting to hear the rest. Back inside, my heart was pounding so loudly that it echoed in my ears.

My mom caught sight of my expression and rushed over, alarmed. "Wanda? Are you alright? Did you see something?"

I looked into her face—still so eager to protect Winifred—and simply shook my head.

Moments later, Edgar and Winifred returned, one after the other.

Winifred caught my eye and flashed a coy smile, mouthing, "You saw everything, didn't you?"

So, she had known I was there all along.

I set my fork down and picked up my coat from the couch. "I'm heading home."

Edgar stood up immediately. "Wanda's not feeling well, Mom. We'll be leaving first."

He followed silently behind me as we left the house. When he tried to reach for my hand, I pulled away.

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and something flickered in his eyes. Still, he answered. "Yeah… I got it."

When he hung up, he looked at me with a conflicted expression. "Darling, something urgent came up at the office. I can't drive you back. You head home first."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and rushed off.

Right then, my phone lit up.

It was a message from Winifred.

It was a photo—her wrist slashed open, with blood everywhere. "Wanda, what do you think? If Edgar finds out I'm trying to kill myself while carrying his baby… do you think he'll still choose you?"